Bharatpur Metropolitan City has introduced a series of traffic management measures to improve flow and safety in its main market area. The decisions were made during a meeting of the Traffic Management Committee on Saturday, chaired by Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal, and will be implemented starting today.
Key measures include:
- Passenger Vehicles: Long- and short-distance buses, minibuses, and microbuses traveling east from the district to Kathmandu and Pokhara must perform mandatory ‘pick and drop’ at the Central Bus Park and use the bypass route via Annapatari Chowk. Similarly, vehicles going west from the eastern district must use Chaubis-Kothi and Lions Chowk to exit via Pulchok.
- Western Routes: Vehicles from the western region heading east or to Kathmandu must use the Central Bus Park for ‘pick and drop’ before continuing to their destination. Buses from Baglung, Pokhara, or Kathmandu traveling east or west must also use Annapatari bypass for ‘pick and drop.’
- Long-Distance Routes: Only the Central Bus Park will serve as the queueing point for long-distance buses. Buses to Baglung, Parbat, Pokhara, Syangja, Gorkha, and Lamjung must follow the designated routes and park overnight at the assigned bus parks.
- Magic Vans & Local Transport: Magic van queues and parking on the Ring Road will be managed at designated locations coordinated with traffic authorities. Local minibuses, magic vans, and autos must operate according to their assigned routes and display authorized company logos. Unauthorized three-wheeled vehicles are prohibited from operating in the market area.
- Market Area Restrictions: Heavy and long-distance vehicles are restricted from entering Pulchok–Pokhara bus park roads from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Loading and unloading by goods vehicles is prohibited in the market area from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Random honking is prohibited from Gondrang to Annapatari, and illegal parking along the highways, Pulchok–Annapatari, and bypass roads is banned.
- Infrastructure & Safety: Risky median crossings from the Central Bus Park to Annapatari bypass will be closed, and service lanes on the east-west highway from Gondrang to Pulchok will be made one-way. The budget for necessary traffic management materials will be provided by the metropolitan city, with road infrastructure managed by the Road Division Office.
Officials present at the meeting included Chitrasen Adhikari, Chief Administrative Officer Birendra Dev Bharti, security heads, traffic authorities, municipal staff, representatives from transport companies, the Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders.
These measures aim to streamline traffic, reduce congestion, improve safety, and regulate passenger and goods transport in Bharatpur’s busiest commercial areas.
About the Author
